Outside Claire exhaled heavily as though she'd been holding her breath forever. Her heart was racing in her chest, guilt-charged. How could she talk to Doris like that? She walked pensively towards Jorge's car, pondering. Really she had turned into a bitch.But was she going to give up on Ryan? No, she was supposed to have forgotten him by now! Chaos invaded her heart and brain, waging war. Doris's tone of voice was full of sarcasm earlier. She was being nasty without being vulgar. Could it be that she knew about Ryan and her?"Is everything okay?" Jorge asked, derailing her training of thoughts."Huh?" she gasped.Jorge narrowed his eyes. "I'm asking if you're okay, because you look like you've seen a ghost," he repeated, laughing indulgently.God! Now she was being obvious, wasn't she?"Oh, yeah, I am okay." Her smile was elusive. "Are you going home early today? Because I am.""Yeah, I'm done for the day," Jorge answered."Okay, let's go." They both hopped in and the ride commenced
Sunday turned too boring for Claire. Decidedly, she and Gena met in the afternoon for a little shopping to clear her head—the distraction she needed to forget him."How was your date with Harry last night? He took you to his place, didn't he?" asked Claire while going through some handbags beautifully displayed in her regular boutique."Ugh, don't even remind me," Gena replied with rolled eyes. She was having the best champagne glass provided by the boutique as a token. "It was horrible," she added, sitting cross-legged after a long sip.Claire scowled, staring at Gena over her shoulder. "Horrible? Why?" She returned the first handbag and grabbed another one."You wouldn't guess, my friend. That guy took me to his parent's house, can you imagine? Not his place! His parent's!""Oh wow!" Claire was baffled, her mouth hanging open."You have no idea how rattled I felt when I stood before his perfect family," Gena said. "His mom was something else, Claire. She ate me alive with just a sin
Heavy music regarded them at the hottest club in the city. Gena was a regular—so many smiles were thrown their way. A Few shots of tequila were what forced Gena onto the dance floor that was already on fire.Maybe this was going to keep her mind off things for a while, Claire thought as she took a seat at the bar. Smiling, she focused her attention on the bartender, who finally granted his utmost attention to her."Have you made up your mind? Because I'm not giving you a cherry soda with how steamy you look," the curly-haired guy behind the counter said."What makes you think that I want cherry soda, huh?" Claire asked smilingly. "And even if I did, what's the problem with that?" She already had a simple cocktail but she needed more."Everything is wrong with that. It goes against the Friday night rule," he shouted back."Oh, really now? Friday night rule?" Claire stared intently at him, and he was easily dragged into the sphere of her terrific eyes. “He blushed. Are you sure you have
Ryan made a grand entrance in the club. "Am I interrupting?" His voice was deadpan as his eyes settled on Claire."Ry-Ryan?" Claire gasped and stood up at the same time, startled. Her eyes squinted in bemusement.Was this real or some alcohol playing her tricks? She couldn't help but wonder. But seeing that arrogant look, mingled with something like anger on the face of the man standing before her eyes, Claire grasped immediately that it was indeed Ryan.But what the fuck was he doing here? She gulped, her eyes bored deeply into his. He was devouring her alive, despite the displeasure in his perilous gaze. His eyes were openly scrutinizing her tight dress, the curves, the cleavage, and his lips twisted in a confusing fashion."Hi, Panther," he greeted Nathan."Oh, hi." Nathan was just as surprised as Claire."Mind if I steal your colleague for a minute?" Ryan asked, ignoring Claire's astounded look."Um, sure." Nathan huffed a soft laugher, his voice a bit shaky."Thanks," Ryan said c
Ryan silenced her with a kiss, stoutly taking control of her psyche. She grumbled, holding his shoulders for support as he squeezed her back tightly, paying no attention to anything else; they were in the parking lot and probably someone could've passed by.His lips, as always, were demanding of her mouth, twirling and swirling his tongue with hers, deeply, restlessly, both fighting for dominance. How she missed him! Claire couldn't deny this fact, and she felt conned when he pulled back, leaving her wanton."That's what I thought either," Ryan said, panting the same way she did. "But it all changed when I saw the picture of you, and that . . . that Panther. I hate it when you're with him, or any other man, while dressed like this. Fuck, can't you see how distracting you are, Claire?" He trailed his impetuous eyes down her chest, peeking through her swollen breasts barely covered by the dress cups.Claire scowled at that. Her dress was just a party dress and some chicks in the club ha
The private Elevator shut after they both slipped in. Ryan's eyes were on Claire, devouring her quietly."What?" Claire breathed, her chest rising and falling as she couldn't understand the caprice of her hormones.Why was she feeling like a little prey waiting to be pounced on? Desire pooled inside her; she wanted him to grab her, kiss her, and feel all the fireworks he made her feel. She'd missed him.And Ryan wasn’t indifferent.There was something he couldn’t put his finger on whenever he was with her. If it was desire, then it was stronger than he’d ever felt toward a woman before."Oh fuck!" Ryan wasted no time as he hauled her toward the wall, gripping her throat, and his mouth was holding hers captive.His bag was on the floor, followed by Claire's wallet.He was impatient. He kissed her hard, demandingly, roughly, squeezing her breasts, her buttocks, yanking her dress to her waist. Claire loved it. That fire he ignited made her feel alive. She let him assault her, relishing e
After dinner and shower they retired to bed. It was past midnight and evidently exhaustion was part of both of them.Ryan flicked the lights off. "You looked sexy in that red dress," he said while laying down."So I've heard," Claire bragged, "from two guys, excluding you." She grinned at him. Ryan glowered at her through the luminous mood outside. "Oh yeah? And you must be very happy, huh?" Sarcasm splattered on his displeased face."Of course, I am! Who wouldn't be?" Claire smiled, provoking him.Ryan sighed heavily. "I'll let it slide this time." He drew back onto the pillow. "But don't you ever dress like that when I'm not with you, get it?"There was a crazy part of Claire that loved his controlling nature. She had no idea why but it stirred her up in some strange ways, and even more from the fact that she would object to him whenever he played bossy."Says who? I can wear whatever I want . . . and whenever," she argued. "Okay, pray that I don't catch you," Ryan muttered. "Becaus
Claire knew she was done for. Only a fool wouldn't discern that she was coming from Ryan's place as he'd just exited his private elevator, dressed a bit vulgarly for her usual taste.She wouldn't be surprised if she looked like a call girl, she mused inside. Now what was she going to say?"Um, hi." Her voice was feeble."Hi." Bruno tried to smile but it was almost impossible. He couldn't hide the confusion, and his usually charming face was currently a brochure of questions. "Are you going somewhere?" he asked gently, seeing how uncomfortable she looked.The dress was one among the reasons. Jeez, it was only meant for the darkness—now that it was beaming bright, she felt more naked under his gaze."Home," she replied."Oh. Alright, maybe I could give you a ride if you want?" Bruno offered. Such a gentleman! Claire smiled restively. "I mean, if you don't have a car, that is."Well, she had the keys of Ryan's car, but it felt awkward telling that to Bruno.Decidedly, she acquiesced to h